Malton mum is killed as rally car hits tree

Chris Francis, a stalwart of Malton Motor Club, died when the white Subaru Impreza in which she was a passenger left the track and collided with a tree.

The car, driven by Mrs Francis's brother Jeff McNeil, a member of York Motor Club, was competing in the Kall Kwik National Rally near Pickering, on Sunday.

The accident, which has shocked motor clubs throughout the county, happened at about 1.45pm. A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said Mrs Francis, who lived in Malton, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr McNeil, 48, of White Syke Farm, Sand Hutton, had leg surgery at Scarborough Hospital on Monday and was yesterday said to be comfortable. His wife Kathryn, 46, and son James, 18, were with him.

Mr McNeil's mother-in-law, Mary Bateman, said he was conscious but devastated after the accident. She said: "They were very, very close. I don't know how he will ever get over it."

Tributes were paid by members of Malton Motor Club and York Motor Club, where Mr McNeil has been a member for more than 15 years.

Mrs Francis, a rallying enthusiast, had acted as navigator to her brother for many years. The pair were recognised for their high standards of competition at rally events across the country. Mrs Francis also navigated for her husband Richard.

Her husband, Richard Francis, speaking from their Burythorpe home, said: "There's no blame to Jeff. If it wasn't for rallying, we'd never had met."

Her sister, Sally Wilson, said: "She was such a big part of everybody's life. Everybody she knew, they just loved her. She lived life to the full, she was very joyful."

Richard and Chris have two children, Jess, who is 16 and Tomas, 11.

Donna Harper, of Malton MC, described Mrs Francis as a really warm, friendly person who "lived life to the full". She said: "Chris was involved in rallying for many years. It was a shared love with her husband and brother."

Updated: 09:38 Wednesday, February 25, 2004